Seal for envelopes



(No Model.)

H. F. MODERMOTT. SEAL FOR ENVELOPES.

No. 406,056. I Patented July 2, 1889.

l vi/tmaooao 5141104 toz iJNTTen STATES PATENT FFICE.

SEAL FOR ENVELOPES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 406,056, dated July 2, 1889.

Application filed November 28, 1888. Serial No. 292,052. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern.-

.lle it known that I, HUGH F. Mclmnno'nr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Jersey tity, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented new and useful Improvements in Seals for l lnvelopcs, of which the following is a specilication.

The invention relates to improvements in seals for envelopes; and it consists in a certain novel construction and combination of devices, fully described hereinafter in connection with the accompanying drawings, and specilically pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawings, Figure l is a view of the improved seal applied in the operative position to an envelope. Fig. 2 is a vertical central sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the seal with the parts detached. Fig. l is a similar view of the inner disk, showing the points in the position which they assume when the disks are connected. Fig. 5 is a view of the blank ot' the inner disk.

Referring by letter to the drawings, A designates the inner disk, which adapted to be arranged within the envelope (I, and it is provided at its periphery with the outstanding points or lingers i: ll, (preferaldy integral with the disk and struck from the same sheetof metal.) which are pressed through the re r side a of the envelope and the tiap o which folds thereon. It is obvious that as the ends of the points or lingers are sharpened or pointed they may be readily fm'ced through the material composingthe envelope.

The outer disk t is slightly convexed outwardly, and is provided at its periphery with the inturncd cars l) I), provided with transverse slots or perforations ll E. This outer disk is placed over the inner disk, the points or lingers of the. latter are introduced into the slots or perforations E E, and the two disks are pressed together. This pressure causes the extremities of the points or lingers to bear on the outer disk and bend. inward. After the disks are thus connected or engaged together they cannot be separated, except by forcing them apart by a suitable tool, and thereby straightening the points or lingers. This cannot be accomplished with out tearing or defacing the envelope to which the seal is applied, thereby indicating to the proper parties that the envelope has been tampered with.

It is obvious that the seal will operate as described it the outer plate is llat; but I prefer to convex it outwardly, as described, as the rounded shape facilitates the inward bending of the points or lingers, and also provides space between the disk and the envelope for the acctnnmodation of the said points after they are bent.

Two points or fingers and a corresponding number of perforated ears are st'tl'ticient. for the operation of the seal; but I do not limit myself to any particular number. lmay employ two or more.

To further facilitate the inward bending of the extremities of the points or fingers, they are inclined slightly in the direction of the. periphery of the disk, thereby causing them to slide more freely on. the outer disk when the latter is engaged therewith. Fig. 5 illustrates the blank of the inner disk with the points or lingers formed integral therewith, and it will be seen that the said points are not formed in continuation of the radii of the disk, but are inclined thereto, whereby,when they are bent outward perpendicular to the plane of the disk, they are inclined slightly in the direction of the periphery or at a tangent to the periphery.

The improved seal, as will be seen, is very simple in construction, consisting merely of two disks provided, respectively, with perl'orated ears and. points to engage the ears, the said disks being struck from sheet metal by a single ()Ptl'itllUll.

The seal is applied by arranging the inner disk within the envelope, pushing the points through the rear side of the latter and the flap, placing the perforated ears over the outer-ends ofthe points, and pressing theoutcr disk toward the inner disk until the former bears against the envelope.

llaving thus described the invention, I elaim The herein-described seal formed of two In testimony that I claim the foregoing as disks A and C, the first mentioned being promy own I have hereto afiixed my signature vided with projecting spurs tangentially inin presence of two witnesses.

elined and at an angle to the face of the disk HUGH F. MCDERMOTT. 5 and the last mentioned being provided with \Vitnesees:

inwardly-bent slotted ears and adapted to re- FREDERICK D. JACOB,

ceive the spurs, as specified. GEORGE P. WooLooMBE. 

